Reps. Diana DeGette and Mike Coffman on Thursday introduced the Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2017, which would add a provision to the Controlled Substances Act that would prevent federal preemption of state law. A day earlier, Colorado’s two senators threw their support behind banking legislation for the marijuana industry.

DeGette, a Democrat, and Coffman, a Republican, said in interviews Thursday that they resurrected their legislation — it previously was introduced in 2012, 2013 and 2015 — because of the saber-rattling that’s coming from the new administration around drugs, crime and marijuana enforcement.

“It’s really important right now, obviously, because it would clarify what the federal law is,” DeGette said. “What would flow from that, I think, would be letting people have their bank accounts and ensuring (Attorney General) Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice aren’t going to come down and enforce the federal laws on states that have exercised their right.”

Under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I substance — the strictest of classifications, defined as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.

DeGette and Coffman’s bill aims to clarify congressional intent within the CSA by inserting a provision about federal preemption:

“(b) SPECIAL RULE REGARDING STATE MARIHUANA LAWS.–In the case of any State law that pertains to marihuana, no provision of this title shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of the Congress to occupy the field in which that provision operates, including criminal penalties, to the exclusion of State law on the same subject matter, nor shall any provision of this title be construed as preempting any such State law.”

That list of states has increased significantly since DeGette and Coffman first broached this issue in 2012, when Colorado voters decided to legalize adult-use marijuana. Currently, 29 states, a number of U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., have medical marijuana laws; eight states have recreational marijuana laws; and several others allow the limited use of non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD).

The support in Congress has grown as well, DeGette said.

“More states are legalizing either recreational or medicinal marijuana and their representatives are recognizing that this is creating some unique challenges that need to be addressed,” she said.

However, the federal marijuana bills may never see the light of day because of staunch opposition from committee chairs, Coffman said.

“I worry that we’re not where we need to be,” he said.

But Coffman, who opposed Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana, said it’s a matter of states’ rights and a matter of fighting for his constituents.

“I think in terms of getting the administration to back off, this is really important,” he said. “Even if this legislation doesn’t pass, it sends a signal to the administration to watch it when it comes to coming down on states that have made the decision for medical and/or recreational marijuana.”

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The resurrection of the Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2017 came a day after Colorado’s senators, Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican Cory Gardner, announced their sponsorship of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2017, the Senate companion bill to legislation introduced a few weeks back by Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colorado.

“Conflicting federal and state marijuana laws make it difficult for legitimate businesses to use the basic financial services they need access to and this bipartisan legislation gives them that access they need,” Gardner said in a statement. “We must also take into account the risk to public safety as these businesses are being forced to carry around bags of money to pay for their employees and rent. Legal businesses should not be treated like this, and I’m glad that Republicans and Democrats are working together to address this issue.”

Prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging a bank from providing financial services to a legitimate state-sanctioned and regulated cannabis business, or an associated business (such as a lawyer or landlord providing services to a legal cannabis business);

Terminating or limiting a bank’s federal deposit insurance solely because the bank is providing services to a state-sanctioned cannabis business or associated business;

Recommending or incentivizing a bank to halt or downgrade providing any kind of banking services to these businesses;

Taking any action on a loan to an owner or operator of a cannabis-related business.

Other provisions include:

Creating a safe harbor from criminal prosecution and liability and asset forfeiture for banks and their officers and employees who provide financial services to legitimate, state-sanctioned cannabis businesses, while maintaining banks’ right to choose not to offer those services;

Requiring banks to comply with current Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance, while at the same time allowing FinCEN guidance to be streamlined over time as states and the federal government adapt to legalized medicinal and recreational cannabis policies.

Hours before the clock expired last week, state lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement about where it is legal to consume marijuana in Colorado. Moments later, it went up in smoke.

The legislation attempted to define — for the first time — a statewide prohibition on “open and public” pot consumption under Amendment 64, the voter-approved constitutional measure that legalized marijuana in 2012.

And its failure on the final day of the session showcased why the issue remains one of the most profound questions in a state known as the nation’s pot pioneer.

“They got all the way to the 1-yard line and couldn’t punch it in,” said Kevin Bommer with the Colorado Municipal League, the organization that led the effort for a uniform standard.

A look inside the bizarre last-minute negotiations reveals a fundamental divide about marijuana in Colorado and illustrates the challenges for lawmakers tasked with finding a compromise in the months ahead.

“The pivotal question that guides all of this is: What do you think about people who consume marijuana?” said Judd Golden, an attorney and board member of Colorado NORML, a group that advocates for legalization.

The key: What does Amendment 64 actually mean?

The dispute is a public policy question laced with differing legal interpretations. And the first puzzle is one of the hardest: Amendment 64.

Colorado voters enshrined the legalization of recreational marijuana use into the state constitution, giving it greater protection, but at the same time, making it harder to implement.

In the opening lines, the amendment declared that “marijuana should be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol” — a vow that pot advocates say is being ignored, but one that left latitude to the state.

The core of the dispute is deeper into the text, where Amendment 64 states that personal marijuana use is allowed by adults who are at least 21 years old except when “conducted openly and publicly or in a manner that endangers others.”

Sam Kamin, a professor of marijuana law and policy at the University of Denver, argues the language does not prohibit public pot consumption outright, but it doesn’t authorize it either. The point is disputed by others, including the state’s Chief Deputy Attorney General David Blake. But both sides agree that it leaves the decision to state and local policymakers.

“I think a number of very smart people get that wrong,” Kamin said. “They will say, ‘Amendment 64 says there is no open and public use.’ That’s not what it says. It says it doesn’t authorize it.”

The ambiguity led to a stalemate when a task force appointed by the governor to help implement Amendment 64 first considered the issue and issued a report in 2013.

The unanswered questions sound like this: How do you regulate consumption of marijuana like alcohol when the two are not the same in practice? How do private property rights apply to marijuana when the smoke travels outside one’s property and may endanger others? And how do you protect children from exposure — actual and perceived?

Put another way, the trickiest question is this: Can you smoke pot on your front porch?

“A majority of task force members in a straw poll vote believed that smoking on a front porch was not ‘open and public’ and could therefore be allowed under Amendment 64, whereas all task force members believed that smoking in a public park was indeed ‘open and public,’” and therefore not allowed under Amendment 64,” the report stated.

Pot smoking in a public place is illegal. But what is “a public place”?

The inability to reach agreement in the landmark report — and the subsequent legislative session — left a major gap, particularly for law enforcement agencies charged with monitoring Colorado’s great social experiment.

“The popular tactic of making this harder than it has to be is a way to simply not do what is right and should have been done years ago,” complained Greenwood Village Police Chief John Jackson.

In effect, the disagreement left the decision to the state’s 272 local governments. And Denver became the test case on where people can ingest or smoke marijuana.

Denver’s current ordinance allows marijuana consumption — including smoking — on private property by the owner, leaseholder or anyone granted permission to join them — regardless of whether it’s visible from the sidewalk or street.

But it prohibits open and public consumption in a “public place,” such as streets, bus stops, parks and other locations where “the public or a substantial number of the public have access.”

The other seven states that legalized recreational weed have taken approaches similar to Colorado’s though they have gone further to define what is open and public consumption, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Denver-based nonpartisan organization that tracks legislation.

In California, the NCSL research found, Proposition 64 banned marijuana consumption in public places unless allowed by a local ordinance. It also banned smoking within 1,000 feet of a school, children’s day care or youth center if it is detectable at those locations and children are present.

How do you balance private property and public consumption?

The Denver model is what Colorado pot advocates wanted to see as the statewide standard. Others wanted more restrictions.

“What we worry about the very most is the impact on our kids. The youth in Colorado that are growing up in a brand new landscape,” said Henny Lasley, executive director of Smart Colorado, which lobbied the issue. “Our big thing was to try to follow the will of the voter that this was just for private consumption, and it opens up a whole new realm when it becomes open and public.”

Like the competing factions, the General Assembly initially approved two different approaches in Senate Bill 184.

The Republican-led state Senate approved language to define public places much like Denver but then added a prohibition on consumption in a “place not protected from unaided observation lawfully made from outside its perimeter” — a restriction that could apply to private property.

The Democratic-led House cut that line and approved a measure with a disclaimer: open and public “does not include a private residential property.”

Both allowed local governments to enact more strict regulations.

The two sides came together May 3 in a conference committee to consider compromise language that allowed pot consumption at a residence where it wasn’t visible to outside observers but not where the public could see it. Bombarded with questions of private property rights, it failed.

Is the “party of five rule” the answer?

On May 10, the final day of the session, the committee came together again to find what Republicans and Democrats hoped would be middle-ground: marijuana consumption is allowed “on the exterior of a private residence” but it is limited in size to only the residents and five additional people.

The language also added protections to permit consumption “within the interior of the residence,” a move to allay concerns about large windows and the like.

“It’s an attempt at a compromise,” said Sen. Bob Gardner, a bill sponsor and Colorado Springs Republican. But, he added, “at the same time we don’t want to have marijuana parties on the front porch.”

The so-called “party of five” rule only incited jokes about 1990s television sitcoms and faced significant resistance, sending lawmakers back to the table.

With the clock ticking closer to adjournment, negotiators offered a slight tweak in the language, but it still failed in a House vote after liberal Democrats questioned how to enforce it and whether the bill is constitutional.

“Five is legal but six is a party? There was nothing magic about that,” laughed Bommer, who tried to craft the deal. “That is honestly what happens when you have earnest attempts at trying to create sound public policy running headlong against diametrically opposed public positions.”

The comical turn aside, the efforts represented the closest Colorado came to defining legal consumption. And lawmakers are expected to return to the issue soon because it is key to the burgeoning push to allow pot clubs and social use in private businesses, the latter of which Denver is pursuing after a voter-approved initiative.

“It is the General Assembly’s responsibility to identify the critical terms that appear in the constitution and the statutes, especially when they are in the criminal code,” Bommer said. “This is about … creating a clear standard for people visiting the state and living in the state to know where the line is at.”

In the past few years, vaping has become a subculture embraced by those who also listen to hip-hop. You even have rappers like Snoop Dogg that have their own line of vaping and strong relations with the vaping community. And for this reason, it isn’t even surprising that you have a large following for the Compton Grinders.

You even have rappers like Snoop Dogg that have their own line of vaping and strong relations with the vaping community. And for this reason, it isn’t even surprising that you have a large following for the Compton Grinders.

And for this reason, it isn’t even surprising that you have a large following for the Compton Grinders.

As the name suggests, Compton Grinders have the West Coast hip-hop scene as its strong influence. Compton is a premium brand that offers different varieties of grinders ranging from the 2-piece all the way to the 4-piece grinder. They offer great designs that make their products stand out from the rest of the other grinders in the market.

Compton is a premium brand that offers different varieties of grinders ranging from the 2-piece all the way to the 4-piece grinder. They offer great designs that make their products stand out from the rest of the other grinders in the market.

They offer great designs that make their products stand out from the rest of the other grinders in the market.

Apart from their branding that breathes the hip-hop culture, they are also a serious brand following because of the solid materials and functionality that makes them among the top brands in the industry.

And unlike other brands that have outsourced the work from some off-shore factory, Compton made an unusual move to bring their production to US soil! And because of this, it has allowed them to maintain the highest quality

Because of this, it has allowed them to maintain the highest quality of their products since they have control of every part of the production process.

The Good

In terms of material, Compton Grinder can stand toe to toe against top brands.

They make use of anodized aluminum that meets the industry standard in terms of durability. This prevents scratches and chipping while using the vape accessory.

It also has a magnet that keeps the compartments of the grinder in place. This prevents the device from spilling your material accidentally.

Included in their device is a screen that is made of steel mesh. This is perfect for those who love to maximize the kief on the herbs that they use.

Another thing that makes Compton Grinders a great option is because of the varieties of sizes available.

Are you the type who prefers to keep a small amount of herbs? Or maybe, you like a more standard medium sized grinder? They have them all. All kind of grinders from 2 inches to 2.5 inches.

They also utilize sharp diamond shaped teeth known in the industry to help maximize churning of herbs. As each tooth is perfectly spaced, it offers consistent texture once the herbs have been cut into smaller pieces.

Compton Grinder has created a loading zone which allows the user to know exactly where to place the material in for an efficient grind.

The Bad

If there is anything that Compton can improve on, first that would have to be their warranty and return policy.

Unlike other products in the market, you get 30 days to return the product. Another downside about the return policy is the fact that they don’t accept returns if it has been used.

Though their products aren’t bad in any way shape or form, the company simply doesn’t want to deal with demanding clients who only want to try out their product and return it after the next few days.

Aside from their weak product return policy, their products aren’t considered cheap. This could easily be the drawback for being a product made from America. But of course, given the number of options that enthusiasts have, it is quite surprising that they are still keeping a hefty price tag on their products.

This could easily be the drawback for being a product made from America. But of course, given the number of options that enthusiasts have, it is quite surprising that they are still keeping a hefty price tag on their products.

But of course, given the number of options that enthusiasts have, it is quite surprising that they are still keeping a hefty price tag on their products.

Design and Performance

Priority for Compton is the ergonomic design of their products. You can easily grip on the grinder and churn the material without any problem. It has been designed to prevent slippage.

It also has an option that gives you the chance to remove the screen for maintenance or for easy replacement. And because of the material which the screen is made of, you will not have any trouble keeping the Compton Grinders clean and in its best condition.

Even if you load a good amount of herbs in your Compton grinder, you still get consistent and smooth output.

What makes the Compton Grinders great is the fact that you can ensure that every session gives you clean herbs. You can remove the screen and have it replaced or cleaned. This gives you the

You can remove the screen and have it replaced or cleaned. This gives you the best-filtered material every single time you use the Compton Grinders.

Maintenance

As mentioned, the Compton grinders do have a removable screen that makes it easier to clean and maintain the device. One of the things that Compton addressed is the difficulty of removing the screen on the grinders. What they did is to add a knob style tool that serves as a screen remover. This makes it easy to remove the kief and clean all the parts of the device.

Different types of Compton Grinders

4-Piece Compton Grinders

Made of aircraft grade aluminum according to their website, the 4-Piece Compton Grinders make a good option if you are interested in having the right amount of herbs grounded consistently. It has a built-in loading zone which allows you to load just the right amount for this particular grinder.

It also makes use of perfectly spaced razor sharp teeth that can break your herbs down to smaller pieces in the most efficient manner. The first grinder has a locking ring that gives you the freedom to replace and maintain the stainless steel micron screen that is used to screen the herbs. With consistent sizing, you also get uniform sized herbs for your sessions.

Another thing that makes the 4-piece Compton Grinders unique is its Teflon grade O-rings. What it simply does is to make sure that there is no metal on metal contact that causes friction and adds to the wear and tear of your device.

And on its exterior, the 4-piece Compton Grinders are made of anodized finish with that makes it corrosion resistant. This allows the grinder to still look brand new even after years.

There are three available sizes for the Compton 4-Piece grinders.

Unlike other brands wherein you have the small, medium, and the large version, Compton Grinders are either small or medium sized for the 4-piece grinders.

If you are the type who loves to regularly vape, it is highly suggested that you turn to the medium sized version. You can also choose from different colors ranging from gray to green.

The 4-piece grinder is ultimately for those who love to use the kief. Though generally, the 4-piece grinders are more expensive but they will get the job done!

2-Piece Compton Grinders

If you are a fan of simple and handy grinders that are easy to use and keep inside your pocket, you might find the 2-Piece Compton Grinders interesting. The aesthetics of the 2-Piece Compton Grinders range in different colors from red to gun metal grey. As for the price, the 2-piece grinder costs around $35.

Give the number of individuals who are looking to vape outside the comfort of their home, this product makes the perfect accessory to your handy vaporizers. Just like the 4-piece Compton Grinders, the material used on this product is made of aircraft grade aluminum that can withstand the usual wear and tear from the usual grinding process. It also makes use of an anodized finish that allows the grinder to withstand corrosion.

It is a functional grinder that has a specific loading zone for your herbs as well. This allows the razor sharp diamond shaped teeth of the 2-piece grinder to break down the herbs in an efficient manner. And aside from its maximum cutting efficiency, the 2-piece grinder is also easy to maintain.

Unfortunately, if you are very particular about the kief and pollen of the herbs, you may not be able to enjoy it in these Compton grinders. However, you can still expect evenly sized herbs that have been cut.

Final Verdict

Regardless whether or not you love to listen to hip-hop music, Compton makes a good choice if you are out in the market looking for durable and efficient grinders.

Compton produced different interesting products over the years. They’ve come up with variations of grinders and other accessories loved by their market. They made a reputation making interesting designs in different colors on ashtrays aside from the grinders.

For this all-American brand, they do offer great products that can fit different vape enthusiasts’ taste and preference. However, there is always room for improvement. Perhaps, they can improve on their return policy and make it less constrictive for the consumers. This can go a long way, especially if they really care about their customer’s overall experience with the brand. They also offer 2 and 4 compartment options that you can check that have limited options when it comes to size. These could be some of the things the brand can improve on.

In terms of the design on the grinders, Compton has provided some of the best designs in the market. Aesthetically, they provided a wide variety of loud and subtle colors that make the products stand out. In terms of the performance, they have added features that make their device stand out. For instance, they have specified the area where to place the herbs to get the best results.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The medical marijuana industry in New Mexico has grown substantially since being organized in 2007.

About 8,000 New Mexico residents have obtained a medical marijuana license since Jan. 1, which brings the statewide total to more than 40,000 patients, the Albuquerque Journal reported. The amount of patients has increased by 84 percent since March 2016.

The number of dispensaries has also increased. The statewide total is at 56 after being at just 36 in January 2016.

In 2015, none of New Mexico’s cannabis producers had total receipts that exceeded $1 million. This year, five growers topped $1 million in sales from January through March, alone.

First-quarter sales this year topped $19 million, up 91 percent throughout the same period in 2016, New Mexico Department of Health data shows.

However, some think the industry’s growth is a cause for concern. State Rep. Bill Rehm thinks the system is being abused.

“I think there are a bunch of people who are obtaining marijuana cards, not for a true medical reason, but for justification for them to smoke marijuana legally,” Rehm said.

But R. Greenleaf & Associates Director Willie Ford says while that might be true, most people are using the system for legitimate medical conditions.

“I have put my full faith in the Department of Health,” Ford said. “They have a good system for determining and confirming a person’s eligibility.”

The health department’s application process requires patients to provide documentation from a physician supporting a medical diagnosis for a qualifying condition.

We have been following the legislature in Vermont particularly closely this session as you can see by our articles here and here. The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released this news about the marijuana legalization bill circulating through both the Vermont State Senate and House that has been approved and is now en route to the Governor’s office to become a law!Vermont would be the first state to legalize adult marijuana use through legislation instead of by a public vote.

As first reported by the Marijuana Policy Project:

Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Make Marijuana Legal for Adults; Historic Measure Now Headed to the Governor’s Desk

The House voted this week to concur with the Senate’s version of S. 22, which would eliminate penalties for personal marijuana possession and cultivation by adults 21 and older beginning in July 2018; it would also create a study commission on regulating and taxing marijuana for adult use

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A bill that would make marijuana legal for adults in Vermont has received final approval from state legislators and is headed to the desk of Gov. Phil Scott. If he signs it or allows it to become law without his signature, Vermont would be the first state to make marijuana legal for adults via its legislative body.

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to concur with the version of S. 22 that passed last Friday in the Senate. Beginning in July 2018, it would eliminate Vermont’s civil penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana and remove penalties for possession of up to two mature marijuana plants and up to four immature plants. It would also create a study commission to develop legislation to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use.

“Vermont lawmakers made history today,” said Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “The Legislature has taken a crucial step toward ending the failed policy of marijuana prohibition. There is no rational reason to continue punishing adults for consuming a substance that is safer than alcohol.

“It’s time for Vermont to move forward with a more sensible marijuana policy,” Simon said. “The voters and the Legislature are behind it, and we hope the governor will be, too.”

And, as stated in our most recent article on this topic, a substantial majority of Vermont voters are in favor of the policy change proposed in H. 170, according to a statewide poll released at the end of March. Fifty-seven percent said they support allowing adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana. Only 39% are opposed. The Public Policy Polling survey of 755 Vermont voters was conducted March 20-21 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6%.

We look forward to bringing you the good news once this bill becomes law!

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Jeff Sessions overturned the sweeping criminal charging policy of former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. and directed his federal prosecutors Thursday to charge defendants with the most serious, provable crimes carrying the most severe penalties.

The Holder memo, issued in August 2013, instructed his prosecutors to avoid charging certain defendants with drug offenses that would trigger long mandatory minimum sentences. Defendants who met a set of criteria such as not belonging to a large-scale drug trafficking organization, gang or cartel, qualified for lesser charges – and in turn less prison time – under Holder’s policy.

But Sessions’ new charging policy, outlined in a two-page memo and sent to more than 5,000 assistant U.S. attorneys across the country and all assistant attorneys general in Washington, orders prosecutors to “charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense” and rescinds Holder’s policy immediately.

The Sessions memo marks the first significant criminal justice effort by the Trump administration to bring back the toughest practices of the drug war, which had fallen out of favor in recent years with a bipartisan movement to undo the damaging effects of mass incarceration.

“This policy fully utilizes the tools Congress has given us,” the attorney general’s memo says. “By definition, the most serious offenses are those that carry the most substantial guidelines sentence, including mandatory minimum sentences.”

The new policy is expected to lead to more federal prosecutions and an increase in the federal prison population. In February, Sessions seemed to prepare for that inevitability, reversing a directive from previous deputy attorney general Sally Yates for the Justice Department to stop using private prisons to house federal inmates.

Yates said at the time that doing so was possible because of declining inmate numbers. Sessions, though, said it had “impaired the [Bureau of Prisons’] ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system” – hinting that he saw a very different future for putting people behind bars.

In speeches across the country, including his first major address as attorney general, Sessions has talked of his belief that recent increases in serious crime might indicate that the United States stands at the beginning of a violent new period. He has noted that the homicide rate is half of what it once was, but he has said he fears times of peace might be coming to an end if law enforcement does not quickly return to the aggressive tactics it once used.

Sessions recently ordered the Justice Department to review all its reform agreements with troubled police departments across the country – which he says stand in the way of tough policing – and marijuana advocates fear he might crack down on the drug even in states that have legalized it.

The Sessions memo was largely crafted by Steven H. Cook, a federal prosecutor who was president of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and is now detailed to the Justice Department. Cook was a harsh critic of the Obama administration’s criminal justice policies. The implementation of Sessions’s memo will be overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, who has come under criticism in recent days for the firing of former FBI director James B. Comey.

The new policy revokes Holder’s previous guidance to prosecutors to not specify the quantity of drugs in the charges they brought to avoid triggering mandatory minimum sentences – provided the defendant did not have a significant criminal history, was not violent, or was not a leader of an organization or tied to a gang.

That was particularly significant, because large quantities of drugs typically forced judges to impose stiff sentences – 10 years for a kilogram of heroin, five kilograms of cocaine or 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Prosecutors, too, could use the threat of a mandatory minimum penalty to facilitate plea bargains, and some were irked that Holder’s memo stripped them of that tool.

Cook has said that the Holder memo “handcuffed prosecutors” and it limited when “enhancements” can be used to increase penalties, an important leverage when dealing with a career offender and getting them to cooperate.

Sessions’ memo says there could be exceptions, but those cases must be approved by a U.S. attorney, assistant attorney general or other supervisor, and the reasons documented in writing.

The memo also directs prosecutors to always pursue sentences with the range calculated by federal guidelines – which are sometimes above even the mandatory minimums – unless a supervisor says it is OK to do otherwise.

“There will be circumstances in which good judgment would lead a prosecutor to conclude that a strict application of the above charging policy is not warranted,” the memo says. “In that case, prosecutors should carefully consider whether an exception may be justified.”

In recent years the United States has been progressive in the legalization of marijuana. As of January 2017, almost 30 states have legalized marijuana use in some form and eight of those states (including the District of Columbia) have flat-out legalized it. But, does this allow for marijuana use in the workplace?

Today, one key issue to arise from the new laws is understanding marijuana use in the workplace, which has sparked new industries and specializations, like lawyers that specialize in workplace marijuana policies. There have been quite a few court cases (Coats v. Dish Network) surrounding the issue of how employers manage cannabis use by their employees; however, there aren’t as many stories surrounding marijuana use from the employer or owner of the business.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Jeffrey Zucker, founder of Green Lion Partners, was very open about his marijuana use in the workplace during open hourss. Zucker explained that he consumes a reasonable amount, about 5 milligrams, in order to be more creative and focused. It’s not surprising that Zucker admitted his use, considering his company’s mission statement; “to create and support solutions for the cannabis industry that address current needs and build the foundation of a sustainable future.” His job is to demonstrate responsible use and to support the marijuana industry.

But what about licensed mental health counselors and allied health professionals? Should they be allowed marijuana use in the workplace while meeting with a client/patient?

Microdosing Aids in Productivity & Control

Many marijuana users say they feel more focused, creative, productive, and more in control when they take a small dose before working. A law firm IT director out of Los Angeles also recently spoke with Bloomberg, admitting he consumes multiple low-dose mints per day. “I’m not digesting a crazy amount of marijuana…I’m active all day, functioning, and completing my tasks,” he said. The key for healthcare professionals is to ingest only a small amount of THC, also called microdosing.

Microdosing is the consumption of no more than 5 milligrams of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that gives users the “high” feeling. Kiva Confections, an edibles maker based out of California, said Kiva Terra Bites are their best seller, only containing 5 milligrams of THC.

Transparency plays a very important role in the patient/mental health professional relationship. Just as the mental health professional wants to know if their patient is under the influence of any drugs during counseling sessions, patients should have the right to know whether or not their licensed mental health counselor allows marijuana use in the workplace. Failure to disclose in such use could lead to liability and even some ethical issues.

Risk & Liability Concerns

Mental and allied health professionals, even drug and alcohol counselors, may be legally allowed to consume marijuana during the work day because there are hundreds of types of strains available, allowing the consumer/user to pick what’s appropriate for their needs. Teek Dwivedi, CEO of Ehave, a company developing solutions for the medical cannabis industry to improve patient outcomes, believes anyone can absolutely use cannabis during work hours and still remain quite productive.

“The use of cannabis does not mean that there is always an adverse side effect that can impact one’s work. Scientists can alter the amount of THC in a single strain (and) this is especially important for those who need cannabis to perform normal daily functions,” said Dwivedi. The general working public isn’t using marijuana during working hours to get completely “blasted.” Top employees of huge companies, doctors, lawyers, and CEOs are turning to cannabis as a way to help them get through the day.

“While each mental health professional has their own methodology for seeing clients, I feel patients have a right to know whether they are being treated by someone who’s under the influence of any psychoactive substance, whether it’s non-toxic by nature or otherwise,” said Shanel Lindsay, CEO of Ardent.

Healthcare professionals can help limit their liability by remaining transparent with their patients/clients and by consuming a healthy amount of cannabis on an as needed basis. It’s a delicate balancing act that can help with their risk management.

“It’s one thing for a producer to say that they have a strain for anxiety, but it’s impactful if they can prove that it helps with anxiety and still lets you function because you are not high. So imagine when this data exists, both clinicians and patients can choose cannabis that is proven to work for their condition and lets them function. That’s where we are heading,” said Dwivedi.

Author bio: Kari Luckett is a freelance writer and content strategist, focusing on topics of personal finance and current events. Residing on the Bible Belt, Kari knows it will be a long time before cannabis is legal in South Carolina. This post was originally written for CPHINS,

I am so thrilled to have another guest post from a fellow mom named Jennifer Landis and to hear her thoughts about how parents can end the stigma of recreational marijuana use.

I wholeheartedly believe that parents, and particularly mothers, will be a huge part of not just ending the stigma, but also end federal cannabis prohibition overall.I agree with her sentiments and fully support and encourage movement forward in this sector of activism for the cannabis movement.

While we have posted about this topic before, this is one of the best pieces I have seen written on the topic, and we are so happy to bring it to our readers!

Marijuana, in its various forms, is legal for medical use in 28 states as of the 2016 election. In nine of those states, it’s also legal for recreational use and can be purchased in dispensaries or even grown in small amounts depending on the laws of the state.

In states where it’s not yet legal for recreational use, many local governments are working toward decriminalizing possession of marijuana to reduce the number of related arrests and incarcerations.

So why, in the name of all that is holy, is there such a stigma of recreational marijuana use STILL for parents?

A History Lesson

Until the early 1900s, marijuana was used in over-the-counter medications and was popular for its medicinal properties. The only regulation on the books at the time concerning the use of marijuana just required medications containing the drug had to declare it on the label.

Then came Harry J. Anslinger. This former prohibitionist needed a new site in his crosshairs once prohibition was declared unconstitutional, so he incited a new fear. That fear, paired with his growing fear of Mexican immigrants, allowed the newly formed Federal Bureau of Narcotics to ‘gently encourage’ states to ban marijuana.

In Today’s News

Today, no one is afraid of Mexican immigrants — current Administration notwithstanding — but there is still a massively negative stigma of recreational marijuana use. A recreational marijuana shop in Aurora, Colorado was surrounded by protestors the day it opened. The protestors couldn’t do anything about the shop opening, so they decided to waste their day trying to shame the people walking into the store.

If they could afford it, they’d probably hire the lady from Game of Thrones to follow people around chanting “Shame, shame, shame.”

What escapes their grasp is that people aren’t only visiting these shops for the recreational reasons — marijuana has so many medical uses that we probably haven’t discovered them all yet. People choose to use marijuana for pain, for anxiety, to help dying family members be more comfortable or to help a child who has seizures who don’t respond to any other treatment. Where is the bad here?

Sure, there are occasionally people in the news who give pot-smoking parents a bad rep, but, for the most part, parents who smoke marijuana do so smartly and safely and don’t do it around their kids.

So in states where it’s legal, what’s the problem?

Avoid Being a Hidebound

Hidebound is an archaic word used to describe people who are unwilling to change because of some learned tradition or convention. When it comes to marijuana, people are so hidebound that you should probably put them on a shelf with the other old books. Reefer Madness is still fresh in their minds, despite being released in 1936.

In states where the drug is legal, you’ll find two kinds of people — those who support the use of marijuana and those who diametrically oppose it. For those who support the idea, you will likely find a kind of solidarity that you will never experience elsewhere else. In those who oppose it, there may not be much you can do.

As a parent and a pot-smoker, what can you do to help dispel this stigma of recreational marijuana use? There’s only one answer:

Talk About It

That is literally the easiest and most important thing you can do. Let people know it’s just as normal for you to light up at the end of the night as it is for your playgroup mommies to open a bottle of wine. If someone asks a question, answer it. The goal is to educate as many people as possible to help get rid of the stigma that hangs over our heads like a black cloud.

Don’t pick a fight with someone who is dead-set on being negative about marijuana use. With that kind of person, you could tell them you were taking it because you were dying of cancer, and they’d still just complain.

Be Responsible

Make sure you’re being responsible about your marijuana use. It makes it easier to make a case for the use of recreational marijuana when you are responsible about it. A few things to keep in mind include:

Keep It Away from Children. You wouldn’t leave prescription medication lying around for your kids to find. The same rules should apply to any marijuana products, especially edibles. A brownie looks tempting to just about everyone, so keep them locked up!

Don’t Smoke and Drive. You wouldn’t drink a bottle of wine and then get behind the wheel of your car, so why would you do it after smoking a joint? Just don’t do it. Driving under the influence, no matter what you’re under the influence of, is a recipe for disaster.

Don’t Smoke Around the Kids. This is common sense, but it bears repeating. You shouldn’t smoke around your kids, whether you’re smoking cigarettes or marijuana. Secondhand smoke sucks, especially for kids. If you grew up around a smoker, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

See? It’s not hard to be responsible with your marijuana usage. Just use your common sense.

Despite the current administration’s dramatically negative stance on marijuana, many states are moving toward decriminalization and legalization for marijuana use. It might take a few more years before the rest of the country sees the light, but states like Colorado and Washington have already shown the benefits in the form of massive tax revenue that they are able to take and put right back into the state.

It’s up to us to dispel this stigma of recreational marijuana use and let the rest of the world know marijuana usage and responsible parenting are not mutually exclusive concepts. We’re the only ones who can, and all we have to do is be willing to speak up.

Jennifer Landis is a mom and wife with a fierce love for peanut butter, naps, and boy bands. She practices yoga regularly even though her husband doesn’t think it counts as exercise. She is the editor and creative mastermind behind Mindfulness Mama.

Nevada officials have approved an early start to legal marijuana sales.

The Nevada Tax Commission has given approval to temporary retail marijuana regulations, allowing recreational sales to begin as soon as July 1st. This is according to reporter Patrick Walker, who notes that the rules are “subject to local permits”.

Voters in Nevada approved the legalization of marijuana last year for those 21 and older. The initiative allows for a system of licensed and regulated cannabis retail outlets and cultivation centers; however, these outlets are set to be open until sometime next year. The rules approved by the tax commission allows legal sales to begin much earlier than expected, with the possibility of such sales starting on July 1st.

Once legal sales begin, marijuana outlets will be allowed to sell up to an ounce of cannabis to anyone 21 and older, regardless of whether or not they are a resident of Nevada.

Anthony, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheJointBlog, has worked closely with numerous elected officials who support cannabis law reform, including as the former Campaign Manager for Washington State Representative Dave Upthegrove. He has also been published by multiple media outlets, including the Seattle Times. He can be reached at TheJointBlog@TheJointBlog.com.

The Arizer Solo 2 is the latest version of the world famous Solo Vaporizer. The Solo 2 is upgraded with a sleeker design in a new package and features full digital temperature controls. The Solo 2 is everything you loved about the original version and more! Precise temperature adjustments mean that you make the most of your herbs and maximize performance.

The Solo is known for high quality and performance and the Solo 2 does live up to the same standards. High quality, durable and made in Canada, thumbs up to Arizer for producing another great quality vaporizer! Let’s dive in to a little more detail on the Arizer Solo 2.

Solo 2 Overview

The Arizer Solo 2 is a portable dry herb vaporizer for dry herbs. The Solo 2 is on the medium to larger size for portable vaporizers and might not look as sexy as a Pax 3 or a Firefly 2, but what it does is perform consistently.

Part of the reason Arizers have been so successful is that they produce solid products that are always going to work the same, simple to use and great quality, made in Canada Eh! So we expect this from the Solo 2 as well.

The Solo 2 features built-in Li-Ion batteries which are charged via AC adapter, only. So charging is definitely not as convenient as other vapes which offer micro-usb charging or even interchangeable 18650 vape batteries. But, I will say without a doubt that once the Solo 2 is charged up, no need to stress about the unit dying on you, the battery life is amazing with this vape!

So the Solo 2 may not be the most convenient vaporizer, but it is an absolute beast when it comes to performance. I’d make a similar comparison with the Mighty Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel with a large size and no USB charging, it is an example of a unit with similar downsides that are completely outweighed by the incredible performance and reliability.

Lets go in to a little more detail about the Solo 2, what you get in the box, operation, performance, accessories and cleaning.

What comes in the box?

The Solo 2 box is quite large, a lot larger than I’d expect for the size of the unit but it is very sturdy. When you open the box, you should have the following items:

Operating the Solo 2

Here’s what I recommend as best practice for using the Solo 2. You can choose either one of the short or long stems. Then pack the bottom of the stem (which acts as the herb chamber) with ground materials. You want to fully pack this area but not too tight, that would restrict your airflow and lose performance.

What’s really nice about the Arizer Solo 2 is that you can also pack whole buds directly in to the bottom of the glass stem. I will say though, that the performance in doing this in terms of vapor production or efficiency with the materials, will not be as good as using ground materials to pack the chamber.

Once you have the stem packed, turn the Solo 2 upside down, so that you can insert the stem into the heating chamber of the unit without spilling your bud.

One thing here I’d definitely not make light of (and this is something that is relevant for the Solo, Air and Solo 2), is that on first use, the stem might be very tight and difficult to insert into the vaporizer. If this is the case, what you need to do is let the vape heat up to temperature first and then insert the stem. The heat causes expansion that will help if this happens to you.

You’ll probably only need to do this once or twice. Anyway, once you have the stem packed and inserted into the unit you can go ahead and turn the Solo 2 on.

To turn on the Solo 2 you’ll hold the center and top button on the control panel at the same time. As you hold them down, you’ll see the display come on and will give you a 6 second countdown before it actually turns on and allows you to engage the heater.This of course is a safety mechanism that would stop the unit from heating up accidentally in your pocket or bag.

Once the Solo 2 is on, you’ll see a really nice display screen where you can set your desired temperature. The unit is compatible with both Celsius and Fahrenheit, so you can switch between the two

I’ll use the Solo 2 at around 375 degrees which I feel produces a good combination of vapor production and flavor. Once you select your temperature you can engage the heater and the unit will reach set temperature in about 30 seconds.

Once the unit reaches the set temperature you can then start to inhale from the glass mouthpiece. You’ll want to play around with your draw technique and see what you like best. Long slow draws that will generate denser vapor, or light puffs.

Let’s talk a little bit about the performance though and how I think it compares to the original Solo as well as some other vapes.

Overall Performance

As mentioned earlier, the original Arizer Solo was known for performance and durability. With so many high tech vapes on the market featuring smart apps etc. there’s a lot more that can go wrong. What I’ve always respected about Arizer products is their ease of use, reliability and performance.

The Solo 2 vape is much the same in my opinion. It performs amazingly well. The fact that you pack in a small amount of material and the vapor just pours out of the unit, is really impressive.

From one fully packed chamber I would probably get 7-10 really big hits from the Solo 2, maybe more. It literally kept going and going and going, and one session did me in.

The vaporization efficiency is very good. The materials were fully extracted which you could see when the ground bud changed from green to brown. The Solo 2 will perform, in my opinion, at least as well, if not better than the Arizer Solo original.

In comparison with other vaporizers in the same price range, I would give the Solo 2 a 7/10 for performance.

Cleaning the Solo 2

One of the most important factors when buying a vaporizer is to consider not only performance but cleaning and maintenance.

Depending on your level of usage, materials from the chamber, through to the vapor path and mouthpiece will build up residue. Some vaporizers require a lot more cleaning and up-keep in order to keep them performing well. The Arizer Solo 2, like the Solo and the Air is very simple to clean.

The only 2 parts which require cleaning are the stainless steel heating chamber and the glass stems. Since the herbs don’t come in contact with the metal sides of the heating chamber, the only possibility is for them to touch the bottom. In order to clean the bottom of the chamber I recommend using a cotton swap with some rubbing alcohol (while holding the unit upside down) to gently clean any residue build-up.

Cleaning the stems is also very simply. Just fill the stem a third to half way with alcohol and give it a good shake. You can add a little salt to the mixture as well that gives a little grit for the extra tough residue that may build up. The more often you clean the vape the better it will work.

I’m very particular about vape cleaning. It will keep performance up and improve the lifespan of your vaporizer. Very important to clean your vape!

Best Accessories for the Solo 2

The absolute best thing about the accessories for this vaporizer is that the Solo 2 is cross compatible with ALL the Arizer Solo and Arizer Air accessories. So if you already own a Solo or an Air you should keep all your accessories as they are 100% compatible for use with the new Arizer Solo 2 vaporizer.

My favorite accessory for the Solo 2 in this case would be the Arizer 14mm Adapter. This allows you to connect your Solo with any standard water piece or bubbler that has a 14mm Female connection. Adding a bubbler to your vaporizer setup has HUGE benefits that include extra filtration and cooling, allowing you to take bigger hits with less irritation on your throat and lungs.

I’m also a big fan of the new carrying case that comes with the Solo 2 in the box. Since the Solo 2 is very rugged and durable, with the exception of the stems, its a vaporizer that I would take with me hiking or camping. The new carrying case is absolutely perfect when you’re going to be traveling with your Solo 2 on the go.